Where I share my love of books with reviews, features, giveaways and memes. Family and needlepoint are thrown in from time to time.
Showing posts with label Book Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Reviews. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Dewey's Nine Lives by Vicki Myron (Giveaway, Review and Q and A)


Title: Dewey's Nine Lives: The Legacy of the Small-Town Library Cat Who Inspired Millions
Author: Vicki Myron with Bret Witter
Publisher: Dutton (Penguin)


About the book: I don't know of anybody in the literary world who hasn't heard of Dewey.  This book isn't Dewey's story, but it is stories about all the cats who inspired their owners to write to Vicki and share their story.  I ran the range of emotion while reading this book.  I laughed, I cried, I hoped.  Because that is what these stories do - they give you hope - when times are bad, sometimes all it takes is a little nuzzle from a furry face - or a swipe with a paw, to bring a smile to a face.

 Whether you are a man, woman, old, young, single, married, - you will find a story that you can relate to in Dewey's Nine Lives.  It made me look at my cat with new eyes and give him an extra pet when he crawls up into my lap now.  This book would be a great gift for the cat lover in your life.




~I received a copy of this book for review from Carrie at Dutton.  Thanks Carrie!~ 



Q and A with the Contributors to
DEWEY’S NINE LIVES


Why did Dewey’s story inspire you?

Lynda Caira (Cookie Cat): Dewey's story inspired me because it is so unfathomable to conceive that a cat could change the lives of so many people. It makes me think, if we tried, how could people change each others’ lives?

Kristie Graham (Marshmallow): Dewey's story inspired me throughout his entire life. I have known Vicki since I was 2 years old. … Dewey's Magic is real. It has opened the door to my heart to make sure people know what they have done for me.

Bill Bezanson (Spooky): I wouldn’t say it “inspired” me so much as it touched my soul. I saw a LOT of the feelings Spooky and I shared throughout the story.

Barbara Lajiness (Sir Bob Kittens): I have always loved animals-- especially cats. So many things about Dewey spoke to me and my own experiences in life. Dewey was rescued, we rescued animals. Vicki only had one child, a daughter; I only had one child, a daughter; and many of those moments during teen years between a daughter and a mother were very similar to my own feelings as a mom of a teenager. Also the effects of poverty and alcoholism on my childhood were all themes I could easily relate to in Dewey. Although I didn’t know it at the time…I would also face my own battle with breast cancer. So as you can see my connection and inspiration to the book really happened on many levels, not just how deeply I can appreciate and relate to that significant bond and relationship with a cat.

Kim Knox (Church Cat): I know cats are known for having "nine lives" but I was really impressed by the toughness of that little kitten in the book drop off box. It's like he knew if he could just hang on, something so much better was coming his way!

Vicki Kleuver (Christmas Cat): Dewey's story inspired me because it is a story of Life. Not only Dewey's amazing life, but also Vicki Myron's life. Life can really throw us into the toilet or into a book drop on a frigid winter night, yet there is a spark, or a will to live that ignites within us to survive and thrive through the adversity of life. There were many similarities to the story of my “CC,” or Christmas Cat. … I was also amazed at the similarities between Vicki Myron's life story and my own.


What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

Barbara Lajiness (Sir Bob Kittens): That every one and everything, no matter how quirky or unusual, no matter if they are animal or human, has its place, meaning and value in the world. That we need to slow down, relax and realize how important all of us animals and humans, and even moments are. We all may be different shaped and colored pieces of a puzzle, but you need us all to make a complete picture.

Lynda Caira (Cookie Cat): What I hope that people see in my Cookie's story is that she was in a way, a life safer to me! I have had cats before and after Cookie, but Cookie just ingratiated herself into my life in a way that most people haven't even been able to do!

Kristie Graham (Marshmallow): I hope readers take away from my story that relationships are important. I think [my connection with my cat Marshmallow] was so valuable. He was always there. He was a symbol of my childhood. He was part of my identity.

Bill Bezanson (Spooky): If you relax the little guards we put up each day and let an animal just be itself, it will show you love and affection without boundaries. As humans we put up small (and even large) walls when dealing with each other. But an animal doesn’t have an ego. It just knows whether it likes you or not.

Carol Ann Riggs (Church Cat): Church Cat was "Special" to a lot of the members of the Camden United Methodist Church. She was a rescue cat and that made us happy too!

Kim Knox (Church Cat): You don't always know why God puts someone or "somepet" into your life and we shouldn't take something like that for granted.

Vicki Kleuver (Christmas Cat): I hope readers will gain from my story about CC a sense of understanding that love comes from many different sources in our lives, often when we least expect it and even at times from a source that we would never have considered, and we should approach each situation with an open mind. When CC came into my life, I didn't want a cat. I didn't even like cats! Or so I thought. CC was intended as a gift for my young daughter. Yet he turned out to be mine. Or as my mother says, I became "his people."

I also hope readers will find in themselves a desire to do something new or different, to live life to its fullest. Norman Vaughn said "dream big, dare to fail."

I would also like readers to come explore Alaska, the land of my people. It is a great land, enormous with cultural history, diversity, opportunity, adventure, and tranquility.

As your story and all the stories in Dewey’s Nine Lives show, the bond between humans and cats can be very special. Why do you think this is?

Barbara Lajiness (Sir Bob Kittens): I love all animals, but I really think cats have complicated personalities that create more complicated relationships with their owners. I have often heard that cats do not have owners, they have staff, which I think kind of sums up the playing field we are all on when building that bond with our feline friends.

Bill Bezanson (Spooky): I don’t think it’s any different between a human and any animal. In Spooky’s story there’s a story about Pierre, my raccoon. It shows the amount of love we shared. I’ve had foxes, skunks, deer, even opossums demonstrate love toward me. There were times in my life when I thought I’d never see real love in a person. But I found it in nature. I think that it would be a real healing point for veterans suffering the ugliness of PTSD to work with rescued animals and feel what that kind of love is like.
Lynda Caira (Cookie Cat): I think it depends on the cat and the person, and if they came into each others’ lives at the right time. I've had cats I've taken care of, and cats (strays) who I have felt that I HAD to take care of. My Cookie was the only cat who took care of me!

Carol Ann Riggs (Church Cat): Animals can become members of your family just like humans. Church Cat became a beloved member of our family when we brought her home with us.

Kim Knox (Church Cat): I have had a number of cats in my life and I don't think any two were ever alike! There is just something in their personality that clicks with your personality and next thing you know you're in love.

Vicki Kleuver (Christmas Cat): As I said to Vicki Myron several times, I believe God brings these little critters into our life so we can rescue them, while they help to rescue us too. Whether it's a cat or a dog or another animal, there can be a strong bond. Cats have very unique personalities. I particularly enjoy cats that are independent, like me.


What’s the most surprising or unexpected thing you learned from your cat?

Bill Bezanson (Spooky): Unrequited love. And I’m still learning and trying to lower my walls like my animals and really love again.

Lynda Caira (Cookie Cat): The most surprising thing I learned about Cookie was that she completely killed the stereotypical idea of how aloof cats can be. She had an actual personality! She treated people exactly the way they treated her! Another surprise was how for a small little cat that she was, she was more ferocious than a lion in her protection of me! If she thought someone was upsetting me or hurtling me, they had better watch out!

Kristie Graham (Marshmallow): The most unexpected thing I learned from Marshmallow is that he would leave such a legacy. I really didn't acknowledge the impact he made on my life and the power he would have on my future. When I told [my acquaintances] that I participated in [Dewey’s Nine Lives], it surprised me how many people knew how close we were and how "different" our relationship was.

Barbara Lajiness (Sir Bob Kittens): [I learned] that love comes in many forms and to enjoy every one. Sir Bob Kittens is not, nor will he ever be, the beloved lap cat Smokey from my childhood. He doesn’t sit on laps, and you can only tell he is purring if you are lucky enough to place a gentle finger on his throat at just the right moment. But he has his moments where he will look up at us with this look of happiness/love and very slowly, in unison, open and close his eyes; you can just tell he is trying to let us know he cares about us. And on those nights when he is lonely or nervous, he will come and snooze against my chest, face-to-face. It may sound funny, but I really believe that is his way of telling us he cares.

Kim Knox (Church Cat): Church Cat seemed very lost and somewhat needy when she turned up at the church office. I felt like she needed to be taken care of. This was true, but what was so surprising was how street savvy she was. She always looked both ways and made sure it was safe before she crossed! She may not have needed me nearly as much as I thought.

Mary Nan Evans (The Cats of Sanibel Island): [I was surprised to learn] that so many cats get along, and not a fight between them!

Vicki Kleuver (Christmas Cat): The most surprising thing I learned from CC is that I like cats! CC was loyal, loving, affectionate, playful. He was adventurous--it was that sense of adventure that landed him in the toilet that Christmas eve night, and it was his sense of adventure that cost him his life. Some people, some animals, become afraid when they have experienced trauma. Not my CC. Not me either. I like that. While it broke my heart that CC died at such a young age, I respect that he died while doing something he loved; it takes a bit of the sting out of our loss. Regardless if we're a cat or a humanoid, isn't life what we make of it?


Do you currently have a cat in your life?

Barbara Lajiness (Sir Bob Kittens): Yes Mister Kittens is still alive and well. Even though he attacks our ankles when we walk up the steps, and runs at us on his hind legs, sideways down the hall, he is a special spirit that is a very important part of my life, and my family’s. I have often told people that he is the one member of the household that no matter what, when he walks in a room, everyone says “Mister Kittens!” (Similar to when Norm would walk into the Cheers bar.) I am sure he thinks he is famous.

Lynda Caira (Cookie Cat): My Cookie died at the age of 19 , on July 31, 2009. I am blessed with another kitty named Chloe who is now Sweet 16, and I do have a wonderful little girl named Lucy, who was born in my garden two years ago, and has lived there ever since!

Vicki Kleuver (Christmas Cat): Sadly, right now I don't have any cats. Two years ago we adopted an older dog from the Kodiak Animal Shelter and right now, due to frequent travel, he is our only pet. It is our hope to adopt from the animal shelter this winter either a cat or another dog.

Kristie Graham (Marshmallow): I do not have a cat right now. I have a Red Fox Lab. My husband is a dog person. But I am a goal setter—I have a bucket list. Owning a cat is on the list.

Kim Knox (Church Cat): After we lost Church Cat's son ChiChi we were catless for a couple of years. We now have two orange tabbies named Marmalade (2 yrs) and Macaroon (3 months). Both are house cats and help make our house a home.

Bill Bezanson (Spooky): I have a dog and two cats. (Spooky and Zippo taught me that a cat needs another cat to pal around with. We humans have boundaries. Another cat doesn’t.)


TIME FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

Many thanks to Anne from Authors on the Web for providing a copy of Dewey's Nine Lives, along with a poster and a bookmark for this giveaway!  U.S./Canada entries only.

To enter: Tell me whether or not you have a special cat - or have had a special cat in your life.  (I have a big furry cat named Frankie - we inherited her from a friend who had named her Frankenstein, and then discovered she was a girl.)  Please leave your email address in your entry.  Giveaway will end Nov 24, 2010.

Extra entries:  Follow my blog - doesn't matter how, just let me know.
Spread the word about the giveaway in any creative way you want - including twitter - just send me the link.

You can leave your entries in one comment - or in many - makes no difference in my world.  Please check out some of these fun links and another Dewey contest below.



Publisher/Publication Date: Dutton, Oct 12, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-525-95186-5
304 pages




Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The Women in Jesus' Life by Mindy Ferguson (Book Review)

Title: The Women in Jesus' Life
Author: Mindy Ferguson
Publisher: CreateSpace




About the Book:  The Women in Jesus' Life is a six week study of the women Jesus encountered during His life and ministry.  Jesus felt the pain of those who grieved; spoke to the unacceptable; healed the sick; extended grace to the sinner; made the crippled whole. Through the lessons in this study, you'll experience the compassionate and merciful nature of our Savior.  It's encouraging material that emphasizes application and the lessons are manageable for today's busy women.

My thoughts:  This is a really good no pressure study.  It was interesting to me as it brought forth women that were in Jesus' life that might not associate with Him at first glance or maybe had forgotten about.  Mindy give small bites of the Bible to read accompanied with her insight and great questions.  The questions not only help you to see what was happening in Jesus' day, but also how it is applicable today.  If you are looking for a light study, with rich rewards - you should check this one out.


About the author: In a world that urges us to live for ourselves, Mindy Ferguson encourages women to live for Christ. She founded Fruitful Word Ministries in April 2003 and is passionate about encouraging women of all denominations to apply and abide in God's transforming Word.

Mindy stumbled her way into the arms of Christ at the age of twenty-six. She speaks nationally at women's events and at retreats as one who understands the tug of worldly passions and the emptiness of selfish ambition. Her writings have appeared in Christianity Today's Kyria.com, the P31 Woman magazine, Just Between Us magazine, Chicken Soup for the Mother of Preschooler's Soul, and the One Year Life Verse Devotional.
Mindy is the author of Walking with God: From Slavery to Freedom; Living the Promised Life, Hugs Bible Reflections for Women, and The Women in Jesus’ Life.

Mindy is also the Women’s Ministry Director for her home church in Cypress, Texas where she lives with her husband of twenty-three years. Their son is currently attending college and their daughter is a junior in high school.

The Women in Jesus' Life: Exploring the Lives of the Women Jesus Encountered During His Life and Ministry
Publisher/Publication Date: CreateSpace, June 2010
ISBN: 978-1453611494
97 pages
















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Friday, July 10, 2009

Acne for Dummies by Herbert P. Goodheart, MD (Book Review)


Title: Acne for Dummies
Author: Herbert P. Goodheart, MD
Publisher: Wiley Publishing

First sentence: Benjamin Franklin said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes," to which I would add a third certainty - acne.

My thoughts: I wanted to read this book as I have two teenage daughters struggling with acne. I was one of the more fortunate teenagers who only got the occasional pimple, so I don't know how to help them. I have one taking oral antibiotics, which has cleared up her face, but hasn't really touched her back or upper arms. With it being summertime she is loath to wear any kind of tank top or sleeveless shirt.

With this book I mainly concentrated on those areas of interest to me going forward with my girls. These areas included understanding teen acne, myths vs reality, and when to use topicals or call in an expert.

Some of the big myths - 'chocolate causes acne (or sugar or dairy)' hasn't been proved or disproved. Dr. Goodheart just recommends that if your convinced some type of food is making your acne worse - then stop eating it. There are other myths that are also discussed like stress and makeup.

This book is very inclusive in that it covers teen acne to adult acne to disorders that might cause acne. It also covers topical treatments, common sense and prescription drugs. The book ends with some great web site references, tips for healthy skin and things you should never do (like looking in the mirror too much!) It goes into what it terms "technical stuff" which, while interesting, I didn't feel was always necessary.

Acne for Dummies, like the name would suggest, addresses this topic with common sense and a touch of humor for that which can be a very sensitive subject for some teenagers. It would be a good reference book for those beginning to deal with acne as an adult or maybe as the parent of a teen.

About the author: Herbert P. Goodheart, MD, has been in the private practice of dermatology for over 25 years. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and a member of the Greater New York Dermatological Society. For 20 years, Dr. Goodheart was an Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Dermatology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, and is now an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Dermatology at the Mount Sinai College of Medicine in New York City.

Dr. Goodheart is the author of Goodheart’s Photoguide of Common Skin Disorders, Diagnosis and Management, a clinical guide to assist the primary care provider and dermatologist-in-training in the identification and treatment of common skin disorders. The book, which is in its second edition, was a unanimous choice for first prize in dermatology at the annual British Medical Association Book Awards for 2004. He also is a contributing editor of Women’s Health in Primary Care, a medical journal for physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Dr. Goodheart’s monthly column, “Dermatology Rounds,” provides information on the wide spectrum of skin disorders affecting women.

Acne for Dummies
Publisher/Publication Date: Wiley, John & Sons, Incorporated, January 2006
ISBN: 978-0-471-74698-3
292 pages

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